Pilaf Couscous
Elevate your side dishes with this vibrant and aromatic Pilaf Couscous recipe, a flavorful fusion of tender couscous, fragrant spices, and nutrient-packed vegetables. Infused with cumin, cinnamon, and turmeric, this dish boasts warm, earthy notes perfectly complemented by the natural sweetness of golden raisins and the crunch of toasted slivered almonds. Sautéed onion, carrots, and zucchini bring both color and texture, while a fresh splash of lemon juice and parsley adds a zesty, herbaceous finish. Ready in just 30 minutes, this quick and easy recipe is ideal for weeknight meals, dinner parties, or as a healthy meal prep option. Whether served warm or at room temperature, Pilaf Couscous is a delightful balance of savory and sweet that will leave everyone coming back for seconds.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 1.25 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium carrot, finely diced
- 0.5 medium zucchini, finely diced
- 0.25 cup golden raisins
- 0.25 cup slivered almonds, toasted
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 lemon, juiced
Instructions
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
Stir in the garlic, diced carrot, and diced zucchini. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender.
Add the ground cumin, cinnamon, and turmeric. Stir to coat the vegetables in the spices and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the vegetable broth and bring it to a boil. Add the salt, black pepper, and golden raisins.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the couscous. Cover the saucepan with a lid and let it sit undisturbed for 10 minutes to allow the couscous to absorb the broth.
In a small skillet, toast the slivered almonds over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Set aside.
Fluff the couscous with a fork, gently mixing in the cooked vegetables and raisins. Add the toasted almonds, chopped parsley, and lemon juice. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and mix well.
Adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if needed. Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy your Pilaf Couscous!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
232 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 11.4 g | 15% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.4 g | 7% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 438 mg | 19% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 29.2 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.9 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.1 g | ||
| Protein | 5.6 g | 11% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 62 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 1.7 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 462 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
